In a bold and surprising move, Radnor Township Treasurer John Osborne, an elected Republican, tapped a former Radnor Democratic Committee Member and “Good Government" activist, Christina Perrone, as his appointed representative on the Township's Charter Review Committee.

Since the Treasurer's constituency is Radnor taxpayers, Christina Perrone is fundamentally Radnor taxpayers' representative on the Township's Charter Review Committee.

John Osborne and Christina Perrone are at opposite ends of the political spectrum, yet both have a well-deserved reputation for putting "Principles" in front of "Party".

For example, Osborne frequently stood up to the then powerful Republican President of the Board of Commissioners, Hank Mahoney, and former Township Manager, Dave Bashore.

John demanded accountability from the township's administration and that proper accounting procedures be followed. He spoke in the public comment portion of the meeting, standing at the public microphone rather than addressing the BoC from his proper seat on the board, since Hank Mahoney, abusing his authority and parliamentary procedure, refused to recognize him.

Christina publicly supported the Treasurer in his fight for meaningful information, often quoting the Charter. She also led a sustained effort of a group of Democrats to truly hold Dave Bashore accountable.

Standing on principle, Christina stood up to the powerful Delaware County's Democratic Committee boss and resigned her elected position on the Radnor Democratic Committee after he selected commissioner candidate, John Nagle, to represent Democrats in the 5th Ward.

Radnor Democratic Committee Bylaws would have forced Christina, as a committee person, to support Nagle's candidacy. However, that was something she could not do because of his demonstrated lack of civility at township meetings, and contempt for Radnor Dem core values of transparency, accountability and fiscal discipline.

The willingness of Osborne and Perrone to stand on principle has served Radnor well so far.

There is a very real possibility for political mischief and unintended consequences with this new initiative to open up and "review" Radnor's durable Charter. But, like Radnor Treasurer John Osborne, I believe that Christina Perrone can be trusted to fight for the interests Radnor's taxpayers and stand up to those on the committee driven by hidden agendas rather than principle.

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I don’t know Christina Perrone personally, but I have seen and heard her speak up in Radnor Township meetings and I have read what she has written - and it all goes to an open and honest government that obeys the rule of law, with the most important rule of law in Radnor (following the Constitution) being the township charter.

The Radnor BOC and the government agents it works with in Radnor have demonstrated an ongoing inability to follow and abide by the township charter.

It is certainly a good thing to see Christina Perrone in this position, and it says a lot about John Osborne, who sought to expose the corruption and theft that former township manager Dave Bashore was eventually fired over, with what initially certainly appeared as an attempt by the Radnor BOC to cover the whole thing up.

is certainly a good thing to see Christina Perrone in this position, and it says a lot about John Osborne, who sought to expose the corruption and theft.

Agreed, it says a lot about both of them, they have their priorities straight. Politicos like to talk about putting "principles" over "party" but not many actually do it when the stakes are high like these guys.

It is certainly a good thing to see Christina Perrone in this position, and it says a lot about John Osborne, who sought to expose the corruption and theft that former township manager Dave Bashore was eventually fired over, with what initially certainly appeared as an attempt by the Radnor BOC to cover the whole thing up.

Christina Perrone is the best choice. She knew what Bashore was doing was wrong and had to fight the commissioners for the truth for years but she never gave up. It took John Osborne only a few days into his new job as Treasurer to figure out Radnor Township's Manager was corrupt. It took a little longer to find out the majority of the Board was helping cover it up. What might have "appeared" to be a cover up by the BOC was the tail end of the 5 year battle.

Count this as a 'NO BRAINER' - meaning that any committee charged with reviewing the charter MUST include Christina Perrone.

Still, John Osborne gets a lot of credit for his willingness to cross party lines and put a former Democratic Committeewoman on arguably the most important committee in Radnor Township (what could be more important than the Charter?!?!)

The one lingering concern however is that Christina Perrone, despite being extremely effective, persuasive, tough, and determined, is only a single vote - and you can bet a truckload of money that John 'Tinfoil' Nagle, Elaine 'Doofus' Schaefer, and Bill 'Write Dave Bashore a Letter of Recommendation' Spingler are going to appoint extremely poor choices.

Christina Perrone needs a good-government friend on that committee. Hopefully Kevin Higgins, John Fisher, and Don Curley supply her with some allies.

The one lingering concern however is that Christina Perrone, despite being extremely effective, persuasive, tough, and determined, is only a single vote - and you can bet a truckload of money that John 'Tinfoil' Nagle, Elaine 'Doofus' Schaefer, and Bill 'Write Dave Bashore a Letter of Recommendation' Spingler are going to appoint extremely poor choices.

Christina Perrone needs a good-government friend on that committee. Hopefully Kevin Higgins, John Fisher, and Don Curley supply her with some allies.

good point!

also is it still true that the radnor league of women voters (aka the radnor con-servancy) is being given a seat at the charter review committees table?!

Yep, and a bunch that are skeptical of the need to change the Charter all.

From what I hear there is mischief afoot from some on the BoC and in Administration; if half of the talk proves true, the voters will shoot it down, just as they did last time the Dem's tried to change Charter...

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